China Travelogue

Shangri-La strikes gold at Jade

admin — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 02:53:33 +0000

Gourmet most adventurous of the city can now enjoy a memorable dining experience entertainment with the latest additions to the menu 36 Jade.

The Shangri-La Pudong rooftop, top-drawer restaurant has often molecular label, but the French chef Paul Pairet was and remains, as the grandfather of the movement of food Ferran Adria is also challenging the conventional label. This is a revolution in modern kitchen, but an evolution.

Visitors can see more clearly now, the name was chosen simply for convenience of lazy journalists as they often are. Instead, the tasting menu for the reconstruction of the concept of what we see, smell and taste in head and thrown back to surprising ways.

As before, the menu is available in three sizes, ranging from 450 yuan (60 dollars) to 988 yuan. While this may seem steep, the enormous effort that goes into any body justifies the cost.

Each menu starts with a playful element. The popular opera of foie gras has been informed in time as a strawberry coated goose liver with cigarette ashtrays and edible powder for dip.

Thai fruit yogurt was concocted to show a lesson in balance and do so calmly. Each sip of sour milk brought a wealth of new flavors in the mouth, so a surprise on the ability of the taste you find so many senses at once.
It was a welcome back note customers returning and reminded them that Jade is able to go and where expected.

Shangri-La strikes gold Jade

Even more fun is the direct long noodle. A syringe was frozen mashed with coconut, which immediately cured when his name has been injected in the packaged meat broth. A spoonful of caviar garnish, and provides side to go with one voice, balancing the strong flavor of the soup and tropical fruits.

A highlight of the new menus have been a Crimson Toro steak and chips. A band of the offer unbelievably fat tuna belly sashimi was a French fry size and foam used mustard Dijon. Fish soft, sensual and rustic potatoes were a great match in taste and texture, while the wasabi Dijon instead of a brilliant idea.

Dish on the menu was a lamb kebab with the lot Magenta. Instead of a handful of sheep wrapped, but the dish is enriched with spicy, smoky flavor of eggplant, the rest was cream flavor of the cucumber back in the otherwise very strong. Fat is almost the mouth, while the flesh remained constant, again recall that, as never Pairet plates, as shown.

Open Mind is a harsh necessity, Catalan, French enjoys teasing visitors with the look. Even the breakfast was a dessert that looked like a meal in the morning, but was too far away. A coconut panna cotta with orange filling was like a fried egg, and passion fruit sorbet on the side again and sweet bread, the court rounded.

Selective presentation is a key element in providing the invoice, and things like the texture of lychee few dandelions on a stick, cucumber or lollipops with embedded nuts provide food for pleasure and good taste.

The food this time, the impression that Adam Tihany designed restaurant belief that local foodies, the concept should be recognized and bolder over time.

The Origin of Chinese Surnames

admin — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 06:51:43 +0000

The Chinese have had surnames before the era of the Three Emperors and Five Kings, that is, when recognition was granted to one parent and not his father. Therefore, the Chinese character of the family name of two different characters together —- meaning and importance of woman to give birth. In other words, the surname of a former Chinese have followed the line of the mother. Before the three dynasties of Xia, Shang and Zhou (2140-256 BC), people in China have a branded (Xing) and clan name (Shi). The names of the family name of the village where you live or the family that owned an original, and the clan name is the name of the area or the new, sometimes posthumously by the emperor to a noble for an achievement. Hence, only nobles had surnames and the clan.
A man and a woman with the same clan name may marry, but they could if the same name.

This is because the Chinese had discovered long ago that marriage between close relatives would be detrimental to future generations.

In any solemn ceremony or important celebration, the Chinese have their clan name on the lanterns are hung in a prominent position, as shown in the main entrance of the house.

How a clan name, area of origin is also engraved on a tombstone man, Hope comes back.

This lasted for 800 years until the reign of Emperor Tang Tai Zong (627 AD). Gao Shi Lian, a staff survey and found that there were 593 different surnames.
He wrote and published a book called 芦Annal of names, a reference for selecting qualified staff, senior officials and has for mediation of the marriages.

The book Family Names of hundreds of families who was popular in China during the days that were written over 1,000 years under the dynasty of the Northern Song (960 AD).

It records 438 surnames of which 408 are only words and names were 30 double-word names.

According to the latest statistics from China, with Chinese surname Zhang alone over 100 million, making it probably the name that the number of Chinese.

Another set of statistics compiled in 1977 shows that the number of Chinese in the first 10 big names up to 40% of the population of China. The 10 major Chinese surnames are:

Zhang, Wang, Li, Zhao, Chen, Yang, Wu, Liu, Huang and Zhou.

Below are the next 10 major surnames. The Chinese with these surnames make up over 10% of the Chinese population: Xu, Zhu, Lin, Sun, Ma, Gao, Hu, Zheng, Guo and Xiao.

The number of the Chinese in the third category of 10 major surnames make up just about 10% of the population:
Xie, He, Xu, Song, Shen, Luo, Han, Deng, Liang and Ye.

The following 15 surnames form the fouth largest group of the Chinese surnames are:
Fang, Cui, Cheng, Pan, Cao, Feng, Wang, Cai, Yuan, Lu, Tang, Qian, Du, Peng and Lu.

A total of 70% of the Chinese population have one of the surnames above. The surnames of the remaining 30% are comparatively rare. Some of these surnames are:
Mao, Jiang, Bai, Wen, Guan, Liao, Miao and Chi.

So Much to See at Hong Kong’s Ocean Park

admin — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 03:33:13 +0000

The famous Ocean Park is located in the southern district of Hong Kong removed. It is a very popular destination in the city, especially for those traveling with children. However, the park offers incredible number of animals, rides and shows that you like, regardless of age.

ocean-park-hong-kong

The park, built with donations from the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club, opened its doors in 1977. Forbes is the seventh largest country parks most popular attractions. Over four million people visit each year, and there are good reasons not t C are great things to see and do it! The mascot of the park called whiskers , a sea lion cartoons.

Besides the amusement parks, there are a number of observatories and laboratories working on the site. Involved in the study and conservation of different ways. The researchers in this park was able to create a number of different breeds of goldfish, and was the first to be successfully inseminated seals.

But because Ocean Park is so popular because of all the livestock and rides.

The park is located in different areas, separated all offer something special. Do yourself a favor and visit all.

In Cape Town you will find some great walks, it means that the heart does not pump. One of the most popular is the dragon, a rollercoaster that will speed through twists, turns and loops. Also a favorite is the abyss, a free-fall ride that will not soon forget.
You should also try the Crazy Galleon and the wheel.
In Adventureland, will board the train from the mine, which is spinning completely or try the insanely fun Space Wheel.
Here you will find many attractions of this kind.

hong-kong-ocean-park

Marineland is the heart of the park, and here you have all the various sea creatures that can make the park their home.
Watch the sea lions or walk through the amazing shark aquarium.

Bird Paradise is home to a number of flamingos and a variety of birds in aviaries. If you love birds, you should definitely check out.

In the garden level, you run into a giant panda, you can walk through a replica of the Amazon, and then take a hot air ballooning Skyfair.

World child should enjoy driving just for children, and some great entertainment for the whole family.

Shanghai cuisine and food

admin — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 03:15:02 +0000

Chinese cuisine has a long history behind it. There are several major regional specialization in China, including Guangdong, Sichuan, Fujian, Shandong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Anuhui. Since around 1843, in Shanghai, is an open environment, a number of chefs will travel to Shanghai, and Shanghai cuisine after today absorbed the unique properties of various styles of Chinese cuisine consists mainly of Hangzhou, Suzhou, Ningbo, and Yangzhou.

The cuisine of Shanghai is the representative dish Jiuzao or burner grain. There are over 200 years, had Zaobendou (stew with grains burner) has long been one of the most popular food in Shanghai. There are also several cold dishes, which are Seeds with burners like bamboo in winter with distillers grains, grain chicken Made Burner and reduction of pork with grain burner.

There are over 2,000 different stores and stalls of food snacks in Shanghai, offers an infinite variety of snacks at reasonable prices. Snack soymilk, fried dough twist, and great burgers. Shanghai is the most famous snack rolls Nanxiang completed by the company for many years incumbent Yuyuan Garden Bazzar sold. Niangao is a popular Chinese slippage commonly used for Chinese New Year. Le Petit Snack Changzhou is located in Middle Road, Sichuan produces some excellent niangao.

Popping as elsewhere in China, Western restaurants fast food, above, anywhere in Shanghai. Global food chains like McDonalds, Pizza Hut, KFC has opened several locations throughout Shanghai.

Beautiful Scenery of Lijiang Old Town

admin — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 02:58:51 +0000

Lijiang scenery is unique and unconventional. In Yufeng (Jade Peak) temple is located in an old, old giant camellias over 500 years, which created thousands of flowers, making it to ten thousand flowers of Camellia. It is known as the first tree in the world.

lijiang old town-dancing

The mystical hieroglyphic Dongba hieroglyph is the only known living in the world.

Naxi ancient music with elegant fine persistent stimulus is assumed that the living fossil of Chinese classical music. Lugu Lake, the deep and transparent is known as the pearl on the plateau. Mosuo villages on the shores of Lake Lugu and the customs and traditions and culture is unique and always a unique experience for tourists.

There are some matriarchal families. Mosuo people still retain the customs of marriage Axia, marrying a young man who did not and a daughter is not married to be.

The old town of Lijiang, also Dayan Town, was established for the first time in the song dynasty, and has a history of almost a thousand years. The city of China, famous for its architecture simple and very old and elegant way to design the city. It is also good for the world, because each of the homes will be built by the river and is surrounded by pasture.

Therefore, Dayan Town, such as Eastern Venice and Suzhou is praised on the shelf. Sifang Street (Four Square) is the old city center. Since antiquity, Sifang Street came to a central collection and dissemination of all types of products and business travelers come and go.

The Yulong (Jade Dragon) Snow Mountains south of the modern marine glaciers in temperate latitudes of the northern hemisphere. There are 13 peaks along the line of mountains, stretching for 35 kilometers from south to north.

Lijiang_Old_Town

The summit, ShanzidouFan steil, is 5,596 meters above sea level. It appears from a distance, you see mountains of snow, like a silver dragon with clouds of curling in the middle covered. For this reason, their names Yulong (Jade Dragon) Snow Mountain.

China Guilin Elephant Trunk Hill

admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:59:16 +0000

The Elephant Trunk Hill is a popular scenic spot located right on the Li Jiang (Li River) in Guilin. The hill is shaped like a gigantic elephant drinking water out of the Li River, and that’s how it got its name. I got to the Elephant Trunk Hill around 6:30 after I had diner, so it was still sunny and bright outside. The best part about it is that it was nearing evening, so the temperature has dropped. It was nice, cool, and breezy right by the Li River.

The Elephant Trunk Hill is a must see for any visitor to Guilin. The entry fee costs $25 yuan. Even though you can see the elephant trunk hill even without entering the park, but it’s so much better once you enter the park, and you get a much better view. As well, you can pay $20 yuan to ride on a bamboo raft that will take you directly inside the cave.

The Water Moon cave is right between the elephant trunk and the legs. Tourists can ride the bamboo raft all the way inside and through the Water Moon cave.

I paid $20 for a ride on a bamboo raft, and it took me right inside the Water Moon cave. In the photo above, the bamboo raft you see in the background is my ride, and I got off it just under the Water Moon cave. There was a local resident doing some fishing and was kind enough to take a photo for me.

There are also many engravings of various Chinese writings and poems on the clif walls inside the Water Moon cave. After spending about 10 minutes there, I got back on the bamboo raft, and it made a large circle around the Elephant Trunk hill. There’s really no time limit on how long you want to stay on the Li River with the raft (they don’t really limit your time). My entire tour of the Elephant Trunk hill and the Li River here took about 35 minutes on the bamboo raft.

Elephant_Trunk_Hill

I started walking along the Li River banks after I got off the bamboo raft. Not far away from the Elephant Trunk hill (about 500meters or so) is a small park, and that is where the above photo was taken. If you look in the water, you see several elephant statues playing in the water, and on the Li River bank, there’s a floating snack food stand. You can purchase some snack foods and sit right on the floating platform.

I would suggest budgeting about 1.5hours for a visit to the Elephant Trunk hill. I spent a good 2 hours there myself, and by the time I left, it was beginning to get dark.

China Guilin Reed Flute Cave

admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:47:57 +0000

My first objective was the famous Guilin Reed Flute Cave (Lu Di Yan) in Chinese. Reed Flute Cave is about 5 kilometers northwest of Guilin City Center. Your hotel is right on the center and the taxi took just under 20 minutes – very close to the city. Guilin is a very big city.

Reed Flute Cave

The taxi driver left me in front of the municipal parking lot a few hundred meters from the entrance, and got by the way the rest of the Reed Flute Cave. Be there and walk in the muddy road, I feel I’m full of guests at a small farm land of mountains and lake with green water. On this ride you probably (almost certainly rise) from the locals, if you want a ride on a bamboo raft to be treated. I recommend you try it if it is determined by the panic mounted on small projects – I was very pleased. On the way to the parking lot at the entrance of the cave reed flute, is a small lake, and there are many small bamboo rafts that tourists can climb to 8 million yuan. A local is along the raft and paddle towards the entrance of the cave. Of course, you can simply walk away if you want, but I decided to have some fun and take the tour. Bamboo rafts are very common in Guilin, because it is surrounded by water. The photo above is me, sitting on a bamboo raft, holding a long bamboo pole used to take the bamboo raft, and it was really funny to move the bamboo raft with her.

Reed_Flute_Cave

About Guilin Reed Flute Cave

The Reed Flute Cave is situated at the foot of Guangming Hill in the northwest of Guilin. The name comes from the reeds growing outside the entrance. Because of its unique and colorful stones in the cave is the Reed Flute Cave Guilin, a tourist attraction more popular.
After reaching the entrance of the cave reed flute, will pay $ 60 yuan for a ticket, but must wait a while for clusters to form. Because it was dark and damp in the cave turned tourists in groups of 15 to 20 people gathered, and a guide with each group assigned to explain the different landscapes of the cave. When you enter the cave, you immediately feel the cool breeze from inside the cave. The day was hot and humid outside, and once felt to relax in the cool air. Inside the cave is wet 365 days a year and always water dripping from the end of the cave, you can expect to get a few drops on your head here and there. The rock formation in front does not light, so you can see the real color of the walls. Very back a few blue lights a little color and contrast to the scene and in front of a pond. The water is very cold, but not bone chilling. This photo is one of the most famous places in the cave reed flute hit called The Crystal Palace . I have a flash of the camera for this shot, it shows the true color of the walls. If I using the flash, the whole image is displayed in blue. The complete tour of the cave took about 30 to 40 minutes. Finally, I want to almost nothing out of the cave behind the liquid warm.

Kung Fu and Chinese Martial Arts

admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:06:27 +0000

Kung Fu and Chinese Martial Arts Kung Fu is the most famous Chinese martial arts and his own very distinctive style, even in today’s world, is synonymous with Chinese martial arts in general. Like the Japanese martial arts such as karate, kung fu used hand and foot movements and struggles not to use weapons. The Chinese word Kung Fu (Kung Fu), resulting in a certain skill. Initially, the practice of Kung Fu is not only the practice of Chinese martial arts, but in the process of the same mental and physical training. The overall objective of Kung Fu is the strength of body and mind in all efforts, not only in martial arts. Excellence in any company with a long practice. The philosophy of Kung Fu is the motivation, discipline, and) time .

Chinese-Kung-Fu

Origin of Kung Fu and Chinese Martial Arts Chinese The legend says that Boddha , known as Random knowledge (Damo), was the founder of Chan (Zen) Buddhism and founder of Kung Fu. He traveled from India to China around 527 AD and is said to have visited the Shaolin monks in the province of Henan. While the monks in meditation, Boddha saw clearly that it had the secrets of physical discipline. He invented Kung Fu as a system of training for Buddhist monks who spent most of their time sitting in meditation. It teachced and trained them in exercises to strengthen the body and physical strength. The origins of Chinese martial arts goes back to the same for the needs of defense and military training in ancient China. The body and nail education practical significance of Chinese soldiers and eventually became an important part of Chinese culture. Kung Fu, Chinese martial arts and Movies Kung Fu was strong in the world with the release of the films of Hong Kong and Chinese martial arts popular. These films have a habit of flying Kung Fu and dynamic movements of Chinese martial arts, cool sound effects and other special effects such as dramatizing the fight scenes.

Mid Autumn Festival – Moon Festival

admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:11:34 +0000

This Chinese festival takes place on 15 days of the eighth lunar month. Only the Chinese New Year importance. The festival can be traced back to ancient Xia and Shang Dynasty (2000 BC C 1066. In the Zhou Dynasty (1066 BC C 221) vows ceremonies and worship, instead of the moon winter. Dynasty Tang (618 C. 907 AD), the full moon was observed.

On the 15th day of the eighth month of the moon is full and the most important for the eye. It was in China, which, despite the urban development still largely rural, the Moon Festival is a celebration of the harvest of fruits, vegetables and cereals by the company and food was abundant harvest. There was a time to have fun and celebrate with family members. Since the festival is the Chinese people, seeing the moon with the idea of family and friends away from home, we all want the best. The words of the great poets of the Tang Dynasty, Li Bai is often brought to mind: I lift my head to see the bright moon, and let my head thinking of my old house.

Moon Cakes

It is a story about the moon cake. During the Yuan Dynasty (1280 C 1368) China was ruled by the Mongols. Prominent political figures of the ancient dynasty Sung (960 Planned C 1280 AD), is a secret rebellion. Knowing that the Moon Festival approaches, said that leaders make a special cake round. Hidden in each cake was a message that describes the attack. On the night of the Moon Festival, the uprising was successful and so far, cakes moon consumed in memory.

moon_cake

Moon cakes with a sweet inner generations of nuts, mashed red batter bean, seeds lotus or Chinese dates. A boiled egg yolk can sometimes in the middle of tasting dessert rich to be found. Today there are hundreds of varieties of cakes moon for sale one month before the Moon Festival.

moon_cakes with different fillings

Traditional Chinese music and instruments

admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 07:18:05 +0000

Scientists have found that music in China to date the beginnings of Chinese civilization. Records and musical instruments to show that the old, there was a well-developed musical culture. In 1999, a Neolithic site of Jiahu Chinese archaeologists have discovered six complete bone flutes 9000 years old. It’s probably the oldest playable musical instruments ever found.Chinese Music flutes 9000 years, Chinese bone flutes.

Music has always been an important part of Chinese culture. In ancient China, music instruments, songs and dances and traditional performances with speeches and singing, the theater has been created. Together with the introduction of religions such as Confucianism and Buddhism, religious music with traditional Chinese music.

Ancient Chinese Instruments
In traditional Chinese instruments played solo, in a small set of a small area like a restaurant or a tea or a big band to lead the emperor and large groups of people. There is no conductor in traditional Chinese music, or the use of written results. The scores saved by the music and then the game does not enhance the written music. Traditional Chinese musical instruments and plucked strings, flutes, gongs, cymbals and drums.

bamboo flute

Bamboo tubes and bones are the oldest known musical instruments from China. The traditional Chinese instruments into classes that are divided into composition of materials. The categories are: skin, gourd, bamboo, wood, silk, earth / clay, metal and stone. Orchestra is a traditional Chinese bowed string, wind instruments, plucked strings and percussion.